ACP - we like to say "yes"

Press Release: The American College of Physicians says yes to No Free Lunch, and just about everything else.

New York, NY—The American College of Physicians, the self described “second-largest physician group in the United States,” commences its 2006 Annual Session next week in Philadelphia, expecting almost 7,000 attendees.

And unlike last year, No Free Lunch will be allowed a booth in the meeting’s exhibit hall.

The hall—over 2 football fields long—will feature, along with No Free Lunch’s 10x10 foot space, Pfizer’s 50x50 foot booth and Sepracor’s (maker of LunestaTM) 10,000 square feet of booth space, among many others. The booths will be staffed by sales reps providing “information” and distributing “approved giveaways” such as PDA organizers, USB memory sticks, and desk clocks (though money clips and manicure sets are not permitted).

The ACP maintains that there is a “bright line” between the exhibit hall and its scientific program. However, in its exhibitor prospectus, the ACP tells exhibitors “the Exhibit Hall is an extension of the learning environment of the ACP Scientific Program,” and “an important element of the meeting.” Exhibitors are told of daily raffles and complimentary lunches “to drive attendees into the exhibit hall.”

Furthermore, for $25,000, a company can sponsor a Zagat Restaurant Guide with the sponsor’s brand name or logo on the cover, which will be placed in the “official ACP tote bag.” Sponsorship of the tote bag itself, given to all attendees at registration, is available for $50,000. Companies with fewer resources can sponsor activities like the “medical student mentoring breakfast” for $4,000.

Why is any of this newsworthy?

Because in 2002, The ACP—whose stated mission is to “enhance the quality and effectiveness of health care by fostering excellence and professionalism in the practice of medicine”—published guidelines on Physician-Industry Relations that include the following:

“The dictates of professionalism require the physician to decline any industry gift that might be perceived to bias their judgment, regardless of whether a bias actually materializes.”

“The potential for bias in industry-prepared information becomes especially precarious when such information is accompanied by a gift or free service.”

“It is not just lavish amenities that are in question. The acceptance of even small gifts can affect clinical judgment and heighten the perception (as well as the reality) of a conflict of interest.”

“Ideally, physicians should not accept any promotional gifts or amenities, whatever their value or utility, if they have the ability to cloud professional judgment and compromise patient care.”

Denied a booth at last year’s meeting, No Free Lunch supporters attempted to distribute these guidelines to attendees. The ACP not only prevented them from doing so, but even distributed a memo to exhibitors assuring them that it had nothing to do with the distribution of its own guidelines.

Of course, the ACP—which boasts almost 120,000 members—is just one example among many of a medical society that exhibits signs of “drug company dependence.” And at least it has guidelines. But the huge disconnect between the College’s words and its actions make a mockery of its mission, and threatens the health of the medical profession, as well as the public.